Teen Fencer from Garwood Academy Earns World Cup Bronze in Poland

By On The Mark Communications

Konin, Poland was once again home to the first international competition to start the fencing season. Garwood, New Jersey’s Advance Fencing and Fitness Academy (AFFA) was well represented by Tenafly resident Martha Merriam, who trains with multiple-time National Champion, former US National Team Member and AFFA co-owner Aleksander Ochocki.

The Cadet World Cup took place September 11-12 for both men and women. Thirty-six US athletes joined fencers from all over Europe to test their skills. AFFA athlete Martha Merriam of Tenafly returned to Konin looking to best her 2014 6th place results.

Merriam began the first round undefeated by beating fencers from Russia, Poland, Belgium and Hungary and earning an 8th place seed. In the following round of pool play, Merriam went 5-1, earning her a 19th rank and a bye into the table of 64 competing the following day.

In a direct elimination table, Merriam first defeated Russian Anastasia Nesterenko by a score of 15-8. She then defeated Kristina Efimtseva, a Russian ranked 14th, and to make the top 8, Merriam fenced 3rd ranked Hungarian Dorottya Berczy. After falling behind early, Merriam battled back to a 15-9 finish.

Securing a medal, Merriam then competed against fellow American Chloe Fox-Gitomer of Oregon in the quarterfinal round. Merriam pulled off the victory with a score of 15-11, earning her a podium finish and the opportunity to fence in the finals in front of packed stands.

In the semi-final match, Merriam fenced Russia’s Alina Mikhailova, who earned bronze in 2014. Merriam went ahead 8-7 in the first half but was unable to hold off Mikhailova before being defeated 15-12. Merriam’s bronze medal win was a terrific start to what is sure to be a grueling World Cup schedule. She will compete in Costa Rica next weekend followed by Hungry.

In its third season since opening its doors, AFFA is ranked one of the top four clubs in the country for women’s saber in the age levels of Junior (U-20) and Cadet (U-17), and top 10 in youth men’s saber according to the National Fencing Club Rankings.

With a state-of-the-art facility and notable champion coaches, AFFA delivers world-class, personalized training to empower and create opportunities for all ages and skill levels. For additional information about AFFA, classes or how to get started please visit www.affafencing.com or call (908)290-5055.